FYI

The City of Farmington Hills is welcoming home “American Idol” finalist Jena Irene Asciutto on Saturday, May 10.

• A parade starts at 2:30 p.m. running down 13 Mile Road from Chesterbrook to halfway between Orchard Lake and Farmington Roads. The short parade will end up in the parking lot at North Farmington High School, where Irene is a senior.

• Irene is expected to sing four or five songs at concert at 3:30 p.m. at the North Farmington High School stadium, at 32900 W. 13 Mile Road, with unticketed open seating in bleachers and on the field. Parking will be limited and participants are asked to arrive early and expect a large crowd. No backpacks or chairs will be allowed in the stadium.

• For more information about the hometown celebration, call the City Manager’s Office at 248-871-2500.

Jena Irene of Farmington Hills is one giant leap closer to her dream of becoming the next “American Idol.” After three strong performances this week, viewers voted Irene into the elite final three of the competition.

The honor comes with a homecoming flight on a private jet, a parade and concert.

Jessica Meuse of Slapout, Ala., received the fewest number of votes from viewers of the Fox show, and left the competition Thursday night.

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This week’s theme, break-ups and make-ups, allowed Irene to select two songs she performed as lead singer of her teen band, Infinity Hour.

Before unleashing her deep, powerful vocals on Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker,” Irene shared the story of her first heartbreak at age 14. Confiding in a video played on Wednesday’s performance night, Irene, who turns 18 in July, said she thought she “would never get over” a boy who dumped her after returning from camp. The judges gave high marks for her performance, but urged her to find a way to move on stage to support the energy she unleashes with her voice.

She came back with a second break-up song, Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” with green laser lights shooting across the stage.

“You are a force to be reckoned with,” judge Jennifer Lopez said. “You and Caleb (Johnson) go toe to toe with the big songs.” Saying the words Irene hoped to hear, Lopez added, “You can take it.”

Dedicating her final performance to her mother for Mother’s Day, Irene chose Elvis’ “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.” Accompanying herself on the piano, she made the song her own, earning a standing ovation from Lopez and judge Keith Urban, followed by a kiss from Lopez — a first for any contestant this season.

“I was so moved, and I am so glad I was here to witness this moment,” said Lopez. Urban and Connick Jr. called the performance “incredible’ and “spell binding.”

Irene’s “Idol” survival philosophy has been to concentrate on the moment and her week to week performances. Now, with the finale less than two weeks away, she is allowing herself to imagine the season finale, May 21.

“I would be so incredibly happy to be competing on that show,” she said in an interview with The Oakland Press.

You may see Irene around the area as she makes a special trip home on Saturday, May 10, to introduce “Idol” viewers to her hometown. She will visit Hercules Coney Island at 12 Mile and Farmington roads, where Irene worked as a waitress, enjoy a parade in her honor and a concert at North Farmington High School. She is also looking forward to seeing her friends, especially former “Idol”contestant Malaya Watson of Southfield, who was previously eliminated but will tour with the other members of the Top 13 in this year’s competition.